More serious problems begin to occur when the bacteria present in the mouth from
gum disease travel to other parts of the body.
Not exact matches
Given the understanding that these bacteria in the mouth
travel through the bloodstream, it makes sense that
gum disease could affect the rest of the body.
Heart
disease: The bacteria from inflammation of the
gums and periodontal
disease can enter your bloodstream and
travel to the arteries in the heart and cause atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
While cavities and
gum disease may not sound life threatening, they can introduce systemic infections (infections that
travel throughout the body, not just the mouth) that could shorten your pup's life.
«The further the condition progresses, the higher the risk that bacteria will get into the bloodstream through tiny broken blood vessels in the
gums, then
travel to your pet's organs, leading to cardiac, kidney, or liver
disease,» says Jeffrey Klausner, DVM, chief medical officer at Banfield Pet Hospital in Portland, OR.
Dental
disease is painful and very serious as bacteria can
travel from the
gums into the bloodstream to vital organs.